Pope Francis is on a three-day visit to Indonesia, as part of the longest trip of his papacy.
JAKARTA - Pope Francis’s gruelling tour of the Asia-Pacific got into full swing on Sept 4, with the 87-year-old appearing in good health and strong spirits as he met Indonesia’s president.
But the pontiff offered broad smiles when he got off the plane from Rome on Sept 3, and again appeared refreshed and joyful when he met President Joko Widodo on the morning of Sept 4 in the first major set piece of his tour. Pope Francis in a car, waves upon arrival, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sept 4. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Inside the palace, the Pope signed a guestbook before heading into his meeting with Mr Jokowi, without making comment.He will later give a speech to officials and diplomats, where he is expected to touch on religious harmony.“Indonesia and the Vatican have a similar commitment to peace and brotherhood.”
Catholics represent fewer than 3 per cent of the population of Indonesia – about eight million people, compared with the 87 per cent, or 242 million, who are Muslim. But before that he will try to energise the local Catholic faithful on the afternoon of Sept 4 with an address at Jakarta’s cathedral, which sits across the road from the mosque.
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